What Causes a Car to Break Down on the Highway?
2 Answers
Here are the specific reasons why a car may break down on the highway: 1. Coasting in Neutral Gear: This increases friction in the gearshift mechanism and damages the transmission. For automatic transmissions, coasting in neutral can cause insufficient oil pressure in the hydraulic lines due to the mismatch between driving speed and engine RPM, damaging the friction plates inside the automatic transmission, ultimately leading to transmission failure and potentially a breakdown. 2. Gear Grinding and Jumping: For automatic transmissions, shifting into P without fully pressing the brake. If the brake isn't fully engaged before shifting to P and turning off the engine, it can cause impact on the transmission gears. Over time, this shortens the transmission's lifespan. For manual transmissions, forcing a gear shift without fully depressing the clutch can damage the transmission. Forcing the shift meets resistance from the friction and collision between the rapidly rotating gear teeth, causing significant damage. 3. Fuel Pump Wiring Burnout: Fuel pumps rely on the fuel itself for cooling. If the fuel level is too low, exposing the pump, it may overheat or even burn out the wiring. Over time, this can greatly reduce the lifespan of the car's fuel pump.
I've worked in auto repair shops for over a decade and seen plenty of highway breakdowns. The most common issue is engine overheating, especially during summer long-distance driving – radiator clogs or insufficient coolant cause temperature spikes leading to automatic engine shutdown. Fuel pumps are prone to wear and failure at high RPMs, resulting in fuel supply interruption. Electrical system failures happen frequently too, like alternator failure draining the battery, with dashboard warning lights ignored. Tire blowouts are even more dangerous, often caused by unstable high-speed pressure or tread aging. Always check coolant level, fuel gauge and tire pressure before highway trips. Regular maintenance of cooling systems and fuel filters can prevent major troubles.
